Final Blog Post: IDF
The Israeli Defense Force was created shortly after the creation of the state in 1949. The draft applies to all citizens who are 18 and not exempt. New recruits are required to pass an exam and then go through 6 months of training. Before beginning training all Israeli soldiers are required to go to Yad Vashem, the Holocaust museum in Jerusalem. This is supposed to remind people why being a part of the IDF is so important. Getting into the Special Forces or becoming a spy is very competitive and is very honorable. Deferment is given to those who have not yet completed high school. Exemptions are given to mentally ill, pacifists (as of 2002), and orthodox Jews who are currently studying. There is currently a huge debate if studying Judaism should be a valid excuse not to serve in the army. Something fairly surprising is that people of the Druze community (Druze is a religion you can only be born into – millions of Druze people live in the north of Israel and proudly serve in the IDF.
Serving in the army drastically changes their higher education system. After high school all citizens will serve in the army for 2 to 3 years (2 for females, 3 for males). After they finish their service they will live at home with their parents and work a simple job, like being a waitress or waiter, to save up money for a year or two. After they save up enough money they will travel for a period of time (anywhere from 6 months to 2 years). Most people travel around Southeast Asia because it is not expensive. Then after traveling they will go to a university where they can go directly into their specialization (medical school, law school, etc.).
When serving in the army all of the soldiers live on the base and are allowed to come home infrequently. They normally go home for the Sabbath, Friday and Saturday. This can constrict many of their social lives because the one night they are able to go out and socialize is Shabbat; in Judaism Shabbat is a time for rest and is Friday evening through Saturday evening. So anyone who strictly observes Judaism will stay home and rest on Friday nights. Life on the base can be very fun; most people are between the ages of 18 to 22. There are also many different types of jobs people can do in the army. A family friend of mine is the “party planner” for her unit of 300 people. She organizes social gatherings and makes sure all of the soldiers are as happy and healthy as possible. On the battlefield officers take charge and lead by example. Citizens continue to serve in the army reserves for one month a year for about 40 years. From Israelis I have spoken to about this, they say it is a great break from their daily lives and fun to be in a different environment for a short period of time.
The majority of the Israeli population supports the IDF. Due to Israel’s geographical location they feel having a draft is necessary. It is also something people can bring up in small talk when getting to know someone and many people find common ground with others through their experiences. In interviews it is asked about all of the time. The army is part of the daily life in Israel, soldiers are stationed all around the country and do not only stay on their bases but also are around in the communities. When I was in Israel a couple of years ago I was taking a train and sitting across from a girl my age that was holding a huge gun. I was shocked but no one else even seemed to notice, seeing soldiers around carrying guns is part of everyday life.
American Jews are also very proud of the IDF; when Jewish American young adults go to Israel most people come back with an IDF t-shirt. Many young Jews around the world experience Israel for the first time through a trip call Birthright, or Taglit in Hebrew. Birthright is a free 10-day trip to Israel to any Jews between the ages of 18 and 26 around the world. There are always at least 2 Israel soldiers on every trip and it is very competitive to get those spots because all of the soldiers want to come on these trips. It is a good chance for Israelis to bond with other Jewish people their age around the world and creates long lasting friendships.
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